I am really enjoying the look of “well-loved” knits lately. Wearing something from a couple decades past, even though it isn’t particularly something bought at a vintage store, is super cool and chic. “What’s old is new” seems to be the motto!

For this month, I’ve designed a patched-up guernsey-esque pullover in lovely Grignasco Loden. I love how the tweedy fleck in the Loden matches all the colors I’ve used– the grey tweed has bits of gold and blue. The yellow and blue have a hazy tan/grey to it. They were meant to be together! The Loden creates a delightfully soft tweedy fabric with a hint of a halo.

Where to start? Your sweater is like a blank canvas. The best way to begin embellishing your knit is to sit down and plan out the space. Draw a couple sketches, swatch, until you are satisfied. I made had a couple patches (some in seed and some in garter) and had a pretty good idea where they would go on the pullover. Once sewn in place, I felt like something was missing at the bottom of the sweater. I knit up a floral arrangement of a vine and leaves and stitched it into place. It truly has a whimsical feel, much like the picture knits of the 80s.

Body
With 32” circular needle and MC, CO 180, (200, 220, 240, 260, 280) sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. PM to mark beg of round. Work in 2×2 rib (k2 sts, p2 sts) for 3”. K across next row, dec 18, (20, 22, 24, 26, 28) sts evenly across. 162, (180, 198, 216, 234, 252) sts. Place another m to mark the halfway point of the round.
Work in st st (k every row) until body measures 17” from CO edge, ending 11, (15, 16, 20, 20, 21) sts before the end of the last round.
Shape Armhole: BO 22, (30, 32, 40, 40, 42) sts- removing the m as you get to it, k to 11, (15, 16, 20, 20, 21) sts before next m, BO 22, (30, 32, 40, 40, 42) sts- removing the m as you get to it, k to end of row.
59, (60, 67, 68, 77, 84) sts for each section. You will now be working just on the Back section.
Place the other 59, (60, 67, 68, 77, 84) sts onto a holder.Back
Turn so that WS is facing. Work back and forth in rows in st st (p1 row, k1 row) for 2”, end having worked a k row. P across next row, inc 9, (8, 10, 9, 9, 11) sts evenly across. 68, (68, 77, 77, 86, 95) sts.
Beg working in Seed Cable st. When armhole measures 6”, (6 ½, 7, 7 ½, 8, 8 ½), work neck shaping as follows:
Neck Shaping: Pattern to center 26, (26, 27, 27, 28, 29) sts, place those center sts onto a holder, attach another strand of yarn, pattern to end of row. 21, (21, 25, 25, 29, 33) sts for each shoulder.
Working both sides at once, dec 1 st at each neck edge every other row 5 times—5 sts dec’d for each shoulder.
16, (16, 20, 20, 24, 28) sts rem for each shoulder. Place sts onto a holder.Front
With WS facing, rejoin MC & p across all 59, (60, 67, 68, 77, 84) sts on holder. Work neck shaping row same as for back when armhole measures 4”, (4 ½, 5, 5 ½, 6, 6 ½). 16, (16, 20, 20, 24, 28) sts rem for each front.
Work even until front measures same as back. “Kitchener st” or “3 needle BO” the back and front sts together.

Sleeves
With DPNs and MC, CO 36, (36, 40, 40, 40, 40) sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist and PM. Work in 2×2 rib (k2 sts, p2 sts) for 2”. Beg working in st st (K every row) for 2” more. Inc 1 st before and after the m on next and foll 5th, (4th, 4th, 4th, 3rd, 3rd) round 14, (16, 16, 18, 21, 24) times total—28, (32, 32, 36, 42, 48) sts inc’d.
64, (68, 72, 76, 82, 88) sts. Work even in st st until sleeve measures 18 ½” from CO edge. Place a removable m at each end of next round. You will now beg working in rows in st st. Cont to work another 2 ½”, (3 ½, 3 ¾, 4 ½, 4 ½, 4 ¾). BO all sts on next round. Make another sleeve.